‘5 Questions With’: Zach Bryan

Carving out a space that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant, Zach Bryan is the Oklahoma native whose raw, unfiltered approach to songwriting has redefined modern country and folk. Rising from humble beginnings and self-released recordings, his music carries a sense of honesty that cuts through polished industry norms, blending stripped-back acoustics with vivid storytelling. With a growing catalogue that captures heartbreak, nostalgia, and the quiet beauty of everyday life, Zach continues to build a loyal following drawn to his authenticity. We caught up with Zach Bryan to talk about his journey, his songwriting process, and what lies ahead as his sound continues to evolve. Read the feature below…

EQ: Hi Zach, can you tell us a little about yourself and how you first got into music?

zb.: I’m from Oklahoma, grew up around a lot of open space and not much else. Music wasn’t really a career plan for me—I just wrote songs because I needed to. I was in the Navy when I started recording and posting stuff online, just simple videos. I didn’t expect people to connect with it the way they did, but I’m grateful they did.

EQ: Your music feels incredibly raw and honest. Who would you say has influenced your sound the most?

zb.: I’ve always been drawn to storytellers. Guys like Townes Van Zandt and Johnny Cash, people who weren’t afraid to say things exactly how they felt. But honestly, a lot of it comes from life itself—people I’ve met, places I’ve been, things I’ve gone through. That’s where most of it starts.

“…a lot of it comes from life itself—people I’ve met, places I’ve been, things I’ve gone through.”
– zach bryan

EQ: Your projects often feel like snapshots of your life at a certain moment. What’s your approach when putting a body of work together?

zb.: I don’t really overthink it. I just write what feels right at the time and let the songs come together naturally. I like projects to feel like a journal almost—something that reflects exactly where I was mentally and emotionally when I made it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be real.

EQ: Do you have any personal favorite songs from your catalogue, and what do they mean to you?

zb.: That changes all the time. Some songs mean more because of when I wrote them, not necessarily how big they are. There are a few that remind me of certain people or moments, and those always stick with me a little more. It’s less about the song itself and more about the memory attached to it.

EQ: What have you been working on recently, and what can fans expect from you moving forward?

zb.: I’ve just been writing a lot, staying on the road, living life and trying to turn that into music. I don’t really like to plan too far ahead—I just want to keep making songs that feel honest. Hopefully more shows, more records, and just staying true to what got me here in the first place.

Follow Zach Bryan:
Instagram: @zachlanebryan
Twitter: @zachlanebryan